Taking a day to reset...

Ahhh, a day "off." While I've been busy at work, things have been going pretty well at home: G vacuumed yesterday, so that's one thing off my list. And I put the laundry in last night when I went to bed, so I only had to toss it in the dryer this morning. It's still pretty chilly/cool (though sunny--and we need rain), so I'll be baking with Holly today. And tidying up the house. And probably mourning the fact that nights are so dang cool (41 again), it's pretty unlikely we'll get one more dip in the pool. I still hold slim hope for tomorrow afternoon, but I am realistic. Ah well. It's been a grand summer of swimming and floating anyhow. 

I think I'm all set for tomato picking, too. At least I hope so. I think I'll have to chop and freeze most of the ones I have on the counter right now-- they are getting a bit squishy, and there's only so many I can eat at one time. I'm hopeful I will be able to eat more acidic foods (in moderation) soon-- I would normally tuck into a huge plate and eat them with a little salt and a happy smile. Still, I'm enjoying them. The greatest surprise is the pink ones (I think they are called Juliet?)-- tasty, moderate acid, nice texture. The "salad" tomatoes are prolific and gorgeously red. And so many little cherry tomatoes! 

OK, I won't ramble on about the tomatoes any more today. But they are pretty. 

I think that I'm sort of ready for school on Monday. I'm about as ready as I can be, though I never feel ready enough. There's so much to do, but we have to manage it one class at a time. I wish in some ways I hadn't agreed to the AP thing-- on one hand, it's a grand adventure. On the other, it's a lot of external and internal pressure: I don't want them to blow the test. I can only do what I can do, and hope it's enough. There are some kids enrolled in the class who probably should be in another class, but schedules are dictated by the fact that we have very few staff members, so very few options. I guess my best mindset will come from figuring out which kids should be in AP-level, and track how they do. The others will gain a lot, and may well earn the dual credit, but I can't beat myself up over kids who, for example, have an IEP and got plunked in this class. Or kids who rarely come to school (I have one of those frequent flyers again). Those who show up, go up, right?

OK, I have three days to NOT think about school, if I can avoid it. After yesterday's ten-hour day, I need a day of huswifery and baking. Call it a domestic reset.

I hope your day is lovely. Hug your favorite folks.

C



Comments

Post a Comment

Thanks for stopping by!

Popular posts from this blog

Judy Collins in concert-- a real gift

Image
Hearing Judy Collins sing, tell jokes, and reminisce about the years she spent surrounded by other iconic folk singers was just wonderful. It felt like we were all in her living room, just listening, laughing, and sighing along-- the audience sang with her at times, talked with her at times, and in general, we felt held. Held by the music, by her kindness, by her humor-- very much needed in these turbulent times. It's easy to forget our common humanity in the face of so much ugliness, but Judy brought us back to our Selves, back to what makes us funny and fragile beings.  At 86 years of age, she is not really slowing down much, although it is clear that she knows her energy well. Instead of trying to impress, she just wanted to engage with the audience. It was lovely, and the venue, The Colonial Theatre in Bethlehem, was the perfect size. The entire concert felt personal. And I, for one, am in awe of how she handled that Martin 12-string. Her piano playing was beautiful as well, an...
Read more

My book is featured today on Finishing Line Press-- please share the info and the fun!

Image
NEW FROM FINISHING LINE PRESS:  What to Keep   by Carlene M. Gadapee On SALE :     https://www.finishinglinepress.com/product/what-to-keep-by-carlene-m-gadapee/   What to Keep  is a collection of keen #observations: choices made, minor regrets, small successes, and questions asked. There aren’t always answers to the questions, but the #poems in this collection explore the particular things and #experiences that lead us to them. Readers are invited into the poet-speaker’s musings about #childhood, of #family, of #companionship, and of #loss. We follow the speaker as she walks through time: capturing minnows, high school crushes and college mistakes, #marriage, the deaths of parents, and finally, a note of hope for the future, whatever it may have in store. In the end, “what to keep” becomes what remains, what is precious, and what forms the foundation of a #life filled with joy, sorrow, and finally, of contentment.   A poet-teacher both by vocation...
Read more

My visit yesterday to The Frost Place, and a few thoughts about community and place

Image
Sunny and crisp morning-- the day promises to be a lot more pleasant than yesterday's weather. I sure hope so. And I hope the pool water retained some of the accrued warmth. We'll see. First, though, I have to get groceries and so on. Ah, Saturday. My journeys yesterday landed me at The Frost Place, and while there are changes up there from my many years of being a docent, much is the same. Some landscaping has occurred, pruning of shrubs and removal (sad) of the rose bush by the porch. I didn't go inside the house; that can wait. I was there to talk to the director who is also serving as a docent (arts budgets are tight all over), and I put five copies of my chapbook up in the Barn for sale. It's neat and tidy, and the video is the same... but clearly, it's not set up for in-person readings or conferences. Those are not on the schedule yet again this year, with the exception of Frost Day, and in September, there's a poet running a workshop on a weekend.  I miss...
Read more